Correcting the rename dialog?

[rdstern]

t2_subset.xlsx

Here is a dataset where many variables start with X.

I would like to delete the X. from the names using thre Rename 3rd option by a function.

If I do it really simply, namely replace X. by empty, it gives and error in dplyr. I think that is because of the default using regex. So I tried replacing X\\. and it no longer gives an error, but also doesn't replace.

Help please and we should also write this up. Can @N-thony or @lilyclements help?

[lilyclements]

Thanks for this @rdstern. The issue is that the code is looking for the wrong columns because you're using "Starts with" not "Matches".

tidyselect::starts_with() does not support regular expressions, so it is currently selecting columns which literally start with "^X\."
We need to call the ^X\\. for a different parameter in our R code, however.
To use regular expressions to match column names this way, we can use tidyselect::matches() instead, which supports regex.

So all you need to do is change from the "Starts with" option to "Matches":

(I've put the replacement as NEW as otherwise there's an issue that we already have a column called date)

[rdstern]

@lilyclements great. I also misunderstood the error that I got, because I assumed it was because of the dot and regex. It was because of the names being duplicated.

You see I wanted it to be simple. Just delete Xdot from the start of each name - So I was really happy that I can easily replace Xdot by NEW using starts with and no trouble!

I still need to write this up properly in the help, and possibly edit the dialog a bit if some options assume regex by default and others do not.

[N-thony]

I noticed also this error when you in Edit option, click on Abbreviate and then back again to Edit, and click Ok, you get the following error.

[lilyclements]

@N-thony thanks for reporting. That error is that the X\\. from the ucrInput is not being read into the tidyselect::starts_with() function. Should be an easy fix when it's taken up :)

[N-thony]

@N-thony thanks for reporting. That error is that the X\\. from the ucrInput is not being read into the tidyselect::starts_with() function. Should be an easy fix when it's taken up :)

Yes, that is correct, @derekagorhom or @Fidel365 can easily fix this.

[rdstern]

WE are often hitting an error after using the Rename with button and then using with the Single or the Multiple Buttons afterward. It still tries to process the rename with option. It is always resolved by pressing Reset.
Could you imporve the code, so it only processes the option from the open button.

t1_100.zip

Here is an example to try:

Importing the file I want to delete the superflous dates (9 columns), or trhe rename with fails, because names that then not unique. Nasty message though!

Then change Date to Day followed by Rename With, on Edit > Starts with X. to nothing works fine.

But the X, forst and then changfinf Date to Day afterwards, gives an error.

[N-thony]

@Fidel365 any plan on this?

[Fidel365]

@N-thony on it

[rachelkg]

@N-thony, @Fidel365 and @lilyclements

While we are talking about the Renaming Dialog I have a question.

Why is the edit option only available on the data frame tab. It seems like it would be useful on the Selected Variables tab too, could it be added? All the other options seem to be the same.